Flatfish
Junior Nomad
Posts: 30
Registered: 3-18-2024
Member Is Offline
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San Ignacio checkpoint
Newbie here. Have been thru the famed San Ignacio checkpoint now four times in the last two years (twice down, twice back). Never any real problems
ourselves. Twice inspected rather loosely. Nothing taken. We are always polite, feign no Spanish, sunglasses off, all windows rolled down. Grey
haired, mid 60’s, 2005 standard dodge ram 3500 with a truck topper. Set up for sleeping platform in back. Car pretty well packed with obvious
camping stuff.
Now, to the question. A TON of all over on FB Talk Baja group about recent experiences going thru there. Seems to be an increase in aggressive
behavior by the guards. Anyone seen this lately? Thoughts?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65291
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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That Facebook group isn't the only one. Somebody brought it up on the Baja Overlanders group, as well.
My wife and I were harassed at that checkpoint in 2015. Been through it 8 times since (2017-2019) with no issues.
Baja is so worth a rare incident. But, a time out to settle one's nerves is quite understandable.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 19955
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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San Ignacio checkpoint is legendary among gringo baja travelers, apparently the thievery has been going on for years. Luckily, they have never stolen
from me, but I hear of people getting hassled or robbed… not sure what makes some people easy targets, while others get ignored.
Need to interview the soldiers and ask them how they select their victims.
Woke!
Hands off!
“Por el bien de todos, primero los pobres.”
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Pronoun: the royal we
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6212
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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I have not had a problem there, perhaps because of my 90 pound canine co-pilot! She is not aggressive, and would probably play with the soldiers if
they wanted to, but they usually just wave me through.
On one trip a couple of years ago, they actually were headed toward my car with a dog of their own when the officer talking to me waved them off.
I also remove my sunglasses and roll down the windows enough for them to see in my vehicle.
I passed through there in January going south, and north a few weeks later.
[Edited on 8-30-2025 by AKgringo]
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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ligui
Senior Nomad
Posts: 879
Registered: 2-9-2008
Location: Fraser co.
Member Is Offline
Mood: love Baja !
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We went thru last week. Man I've been going down for over thirty years and they really gave us a working over this time !
Long story maybe I'll write about it sometime
Do not have anything that is not legal ! Your asking for big problems there
We were two permanent residents ,we are in the sixty years range. Normal times not a big deal. Summer is slow for gringo's heading south. So they
really went through everything I mean everything.
They were looking to find anything so they could get some cash.
Be fun to see what happens when we head north on Tuesday.  .
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7396
Registered: 8-5-2011
Member Is Online
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Did they go through your pockets, wallets, purses? Pat you down?
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ligui
Senior Nomad
Posts: 879
Registered: 2-9-2008
Location: Fraser co.
Member Is Offline
Mood: love Baja !
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Yes wallets empty pockets etc.
Been thru lots of check points this was uncalled for
I still love Mexico ! You just sometimes run into things like this. We didn't do or have anything wrong. Basically they only wasted everyone's
time.
One just has to stay calm and wait it out then off you go. 
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 599
Registered: 6-4-2012
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Never take your eyes off of anyone searching your car, as much as they will try to distract with a couple of the searchers working at the same time.
A couple of years ago north of GN, I was searched thoroughly and watched their every move. Searching my suitcase at a road check was new after all
these decades.
Not having anything they could find to give me a hard time is always helpful.
The job they do in those locations and temps, makes me hope they change out their personnel every day or two.
A smile can go a long way. Use it to your advantage every time.
I always thank them for keeping the roadway safe, well safer, and it appears to be appreciated. I hope they remember my sentiment the next time. It
never fails to bring a smile.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13238
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
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We never had a bad experience ourselves but years ago I saw them fine tooth comb search the vehicle ahead of us. They took the woman's purse! It
was awful to watch.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3881
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Tell us your story, Ligui.
"Never take your eyes off of anyone searching your car, as much as they will try to distract with a couple of the searchers working at the same time."
That has been my experience - when they ask me to get out of the car, I take my daypack. One guy is talking to me, but I stay close to the car and
watch the other guy - sometimes ignoring the one talking to me to engage with the searching one ("that's just clothes - that's stuff for camping") not
important but to let him know I'm keeping an eye on him and they're not intimidating me with their rifles.
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